LOS ANGELES — California operators will gather Feb. 10 to get some helpful updates and information on two of the most difficult industry challenges: Competition from Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) and recent changes in employment laws.

Music Express CEO Cheryl Berkman, who is the president of Advocates for Fairness in Transportation, returns to the Greater California Livery Association stage for more of her straight talk on TNCs and strategies the industry should use in working toward regulatory fairness among TNCs and chauffeured transportation companies. Berkman appeared at the GCLA Expo on Sept. 23, 2014 with NLA board director and Commonwealth Worldwide CEO Dawson Rutter in a rousing appeal to fight for the industry’s survival.

On Tuesday, Berkman will be joined by GCLA President Kevin Illingworth in offering insights on the latest fronts on the industry’s fight against TNCs and how GCLA members and operators nationwide can work to correct regulatory disparities and protect their businesses.

Since it was formed in August 2014, the non-profit, ad-hoc Advocates For Fairness in Transportation has been at the forefront of efforts to fight for regulatory fairness between limousine companies and TNCs. AFT, backed by Berkman, Empire CLS CEO David Seelinger and ITS President Jonna Sabroff, funds and coordinates anti-TNC efforts with the help of an attorney and professional consultant. AFT complements the efforts of the GCLA, NLA and other industry associations.

The other highlight of the meeting will be an employment law update and presentation from Colleen McCarthy, a partner and the practice group leader of Ferruzzo & Ferruzzo, LLP’s Employment Practices Group. She will cover a variety of labor topics, such as lunches and breaks, tracking employee time, and complying with the California Fair Labor Standards Act to avoid lawsuits.